Young Picassa's

It was a dismal day in London town not too long ago but not at Chelsea Art Designs HQ! 

"Mummy may we paint please??? Sure you can my darlings...what colours would you like to use? yellow, green, orange, pink and blue please. Ok one moment........an hour later..."

I always encourage my daughters to do what makes them happy, follow their dreams, be happy in their own skin and  embrace every moment!! quote courtesy Pinterest

 Embrace the moments that life present to you!!!! have a lovely weekend!! Best Wishes Chelsea

Handmade Upcycled Travel Journal

Hello friends...I hope you have all been well. I have been under the radar recently, you see when there is sunshine and warmth in the UK everyone is out catching the rays and I am no exception. I have been very creative though, water colouring, art journalling and zendoodling while soaking up the sun.

Above - front and back cover. I did this little project last night. We are off the to south of France for a camping trip  

And I most certainly have to be creative while there and so  thought I would make a travel journal [despite having well over 30 new and partially used...shhhh no judgement] 

I used my daughter's unwanted Hello Kitty notebook [12 pages] I added and layered the pages with various textured paper. I am so excited to use this journal and see it transform into a colourful story, with secret pockets, tags, laces, empherma, quotes and maybe learn a few more french words.

This will be my first time doing an official travel journal, what a pity I only recently discovered this because I have done a fair bit of travelling in my time [ Germany, Spain, Holland, France, Barbados, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Canada, Scotland,...] how divine would it have been to have a travel journal for each of my trips then????

We live and learn, it is the journey of life.....I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Oh please wish me luck on the driving theory test on Wednesday!



courtesty PinterestPinterest

Mixed Media Sea Scape Painting

A few months ago I was asked to do this commissioned painting.

This sketch was my brief along with a guided dimension and apart from that I was given full artistic license

I knew I wanted this piece to be 3 dimensional and heavily textured, with the sun lifted from the surface, the roofs sticking out and the landscape protruding!

[the sun was moulded using clay then baked and painted.]

The foundation of the canvas was covered with over 16 layers of vintage musical note paper. My experience of being at the seaside is always a musical one...listening to the waves and seagulls. Nature has it's own wonderful rhythm and I really wanted to carry that essence through the painting

This was the original painting I which  inspired  my client to commission a similar  and larger piece.

It is important for me to challenge myself and not be a comfortable place creatively. I used to always do a  blended and smooth sky but since learning from an Art Master ( twice a month for an hour) I felt I wanted to change the skyline and the sea to give more life to the painting ..as you can see from the finished piece!

Applying the various stones was a delightful experience. It looked amazing, adding lots of texture and light to the painting but when I placed the beach houses it did not fit well on the stones, so I had to sculpt the houses and add more stones. Once I added more stones (which I brought in Bavaria) the landscape felt off, so I painted it several times with various shades of earthy tones to get the colour I was finally happy with. I used lots of gold, silver, copper and  bronze to add more texture and life.
It would have worked better if I painted the houses on but I really wanted to make a feature of it with little roofs. If  I am to do a similar piece again I will do a few things differently, using other mediums. But that is the game as an artist, every piece is prototype.

 All in all this painting took me on a wonderful creative journey, applying new techniques and mediums. This piece has been the object of my affection for the past few months and will be off to it's owner soon..where I hope it brings many smiles and joy to within new home. It is difficult to not be connected to paintings like this when I have spent many many hours creating, I will miss it very much. So have a wonderful day and week until next time. Chelsea 

My Studio and Kids-progress

I really wanted to share a photo story of my little studio,bare with me as it is still in progress. It used to be Erin's baby room but she loves sleeping with her big sister, so they share a room now. Then, I kicked my husband/office out and have now claimed it as my own. It is small ( 13 feet by 11 feet)  But it is my slice of heaven. I am happily organising it, to make my cards, jewellery, paintings, art journalling and the like. So here are the pics................I hope you enjoy.

A few tools of my trade for jewellery making

My devoted intruder-Erin

And so I had to give her something to do on my laptop

Erin was intent on staying put

yep she is still there and loves this space more than I ( if that is at all possible)

I found this great way of storing my craft papers..Hangers, who knew?

Another intruder -Armelle...look at her face, so unimpressed that Erin has the best spot.

By the way it was snowing in London! Bliss

Armelle....still unimpressed but smiled for this photo.

Erin-MUMMY I AM NOT LEAVING!!!

Ok then paint these

Come on Armelle you too.

Give as you Live!

Huge Thanks to LWS for exhibiting my 4 Mixed Media Paintings. These paintings were displayed as part of my Artist Open House. The powers that be of the LWS Charity viewed them and invited me to exhibit at the cafe. And so I did! And here they are! 

My husband would normally install my paintings for exhibits but this time I did them myself as he was at work. I am hugely proud of this and now know I can do it myself when the opportunity arises. 

As you know by now I am a mother of 2 daughters Armelle and Erin. They are very much involved in my work. I think it is important for them to see the whole process of what I do and how things work. Besides childcare is slim pickings on a  Sunday evening.

This is a wide shot of the Cafe. I have had numerous yummy meals here with friends, family and on my own over the last few years and I have always had a positive experience. It serves as the local waterig hole for moms with kids and anyone in search of free wi-fi and good food! If are local or live in the South London area  and have not stopped by please do!

About LWS Charity- At LWS we are committed and dedicated to helping women who are or have been victims of domestic violence, move on and improve their lives. We help them to determine their own future and offer the support needed to achieve this through counselling and our various supportive and empowering workshops.

When one of my paintings are sold almost a third of sale go to the charity to support their purpose. So you get a beautiful original painting from a local artist, while supporting a very worthwhile cause!

Best wishes

Chelsea St.Pierre

And it's 3 for Germany!

I always do a virtual back flip when a painting is sold. So when 3 were sold by one buyer -I did 3 back flips with a twist and jazz hands.I am so Delighted..I sold 3 paintings in Germany!

 My 3 Mixed Media paintings  I created  while in Germany last summer/autumn were purchased by the Merks family; a wonderful family  whom I know will fully enjoy them.Thank you so much for your purchase.

My Handmade Necklace - Special K ad!

I was most delighted when I was notified by my dear blogging friend over at Tiger Tales that she wore my necklace to her day with Special K-gains project!

Thank you MsXpat for choosing to wear my handmade necklace to your special day .You look amazing and wore it well!I hope you get the ' Freedom..to go beyond your comfort zone in 2013!'